FIFA rubber-stamp Ness deal

Jamie Ness has been been given the go-ahead by FIFA to start his career with Stoke.

International clearance for the transfers of Ness, Steve Davis, Kyle Lafferty, Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith from Rangers was put on hold after Rangers newco disputed the players' status.

A number of Ibrox players, following advice from their union, PFA Scotland, rejected the chance to transfer their contracts from Rangers to Charles Green's Sevco consortium.

Green rejects the claim that the players are free agents and the former Sheffield United chief executive sent letters to clubs across the UK warning them that the players who objected to the switch to Sevco were in breach of contract.

However, 21-year-old midfielder Ness joined Stoke, Naismith moved to Everton and Whittaker signed for Norwich. Northern Irish duo Davis and Lafferty are at Southampton and Swiss side Sion respectively.

The association to which the players are affiliated can request temporary registration from FIFA to allow the player to play during the period of arbitration - which happened with Ness who has been given the green light.